Apr 3rd, 2013

It remains the largest diamond cut in Canada- this “gem among gems” as claimed by the Vancouver Sun at the time, was cut by my father, Mike Botha in 1998- the year Embee Diamond Technologies was first established in Canada. Those of you who have had the privilege of hearing the story about the journey to Vancouver will know the details about our families incredible journey from the blazing African sun to the dreary, rainy weather of Vancouver.

At the time, contracted to Canadian Diamond Cutters in Vancouver, his partners sourced large rough diamonds from Brazil. One of these transactions saw the arrival of a 300 carat rock, along with 3 other large pieces of rough. After meticulous planning, it was decided that a pear shape would offer the best yield for the 300 carat piece and the 3-month long process of sawing, cutting and polishing commenced.

In the end, it yielded a 60 carat H VS2 pear-shaped piece of history along with some change (other smaller pieces). At the time, it was valued somewhere around the $4 million mark and to date, this “Gem among gems” remains the largest diamond ever cut in Canada. Not sure of its current whereabouts.